Miami Gardens, Fla. – On the heels of their most successful showing at the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Championships in program history, Gage Cook and Ghee Rachal from the St. Thomas Men's Wrestling Team embark to Wichita, Kan., to take on the best from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) at the NAIA National Championship.

The 2026 AAC Newcomer of the Year, Cook punched his ticket to the National Championship by winning the league's 285 LB division. Earning the 11 seed in the National 285 LB bracket, Cook opens play with a matchup against Daguy Massillon from conference foe Keiser.

Securing his berth in the National Championship with a third-place finish in the 197 LB division at the AAC Championship, Rachal earned the eight seed in his bracket and opens play against Chase Stieb from Doane.